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(ModeL) E. SH-UPB. 7 Opera, School, and Office Chair. No. 239,862. Patented April 5.1881.

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w E. SHUPE. -0pera, SbhooLand Office Chair. i No. 239,862. Patented April 5,1881.

NJHERS PHOTGLIYQOGRAPHER, WASHINGTON, D C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ELI SHUPE, ()F BATTLE oEEEK, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR OF ONEEALE TO H. D. GROOKER, OF SAMEPLAGE.

OPERA, SCHOOL, AND OFFICE CHAIR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 239,862, dated April 5, 1881.

Application filed September 17, 1880. (Model) To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ELI SHUPE, of Battle Creek, in the county of Calhoun and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Opera, School, and Ofu'ce Chairs; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains 'to make and use it, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

My inven tion relates to an improvement in opera, school, and office chairs; and it consists in the combination of a standard, which is secured rigidly to the floor at its lower end, with a pivoted post which supports the rear part of the seat, and has secured to it a brace that is attached to the front edge of the seat, and a cranked lever which is secured to the seat near its center, as will be more fully described hereinafter.

The object of my invention is to provide a chair which is designed especially for use in operas, schools, and offices, and which has its seat made to fold upward against the back by pushing slightly against the front edge of the seat as the user rises to his or her feet.

Figure 1 is a perspective of a chair embodying my invention ready for use. Fig. 2 is a similar view of the same, showing the chair folded up. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the folding parts of the chair. Figs. 4 and 5 are side elevations of the chair when used by invalids, barbers, and surgeons.

A represents the standard, which is rigidly secured to the floor at its lower end, and has the back L secured rigidly to its upper end, where the chair is to be used for schools, theaters, and offices; but when the chair is to be used as a reclining chair the seat will be attached to the rear edge of the back, as shown in Figs. 4: and 5. This standard is made in a single piece at its lower end, where it is secured to the floor, instead of being divided into several feet, thereby making it easierfor the broom or mop to pass all around it in cleaning up the floor. Through the central part of this standard is made a suitable opening or slot, N,

through which extend the upper ends of the parts which operate the seat.

Pivoted at its lower inner corner, in any suitable manner, to the standard A, is the supporting-post G, which acts as a support to the seat B, and which post has a block of rubber or other suitable substance, P, secured to its top, so as to deaden the noise and prevent a concussion when the seat 13 is dropped down into position. The upper end of this 'post 0 projects up through the opening N in the top of the standard A, and has secured to its front edge, above its center, the brace D, which is pivoted to the under side of the front of the seat.

Secured to the lower rear end of the pivoted post (3 is a toothed segment, G, which meshes with the teeth on the inner end of the pivoted lever E. This lever E is pivoted in the standard A, at a suitable distance above the floor, and the rear end of this leverE projects backward a suitable distance and has the connectin g-rod H pivoted to it, which rod H projects through an opening, It, made in the top of the pivoted post 0, and is pivoted to the under side of the seat at or near its center. 7. 5

The operation of my chair is as follows: The post (3, being pivoted at its lower end in the frame of the standard A, is attached to the under side of the front edge of the seat by means of the brace D, and having the segment G secured to its lower end when the post 0 is moved backward upon its pivot, the brace D is made to push the seat backward at the same time, while the segment G operates upon the lever E, so as to cause the connecting-rod H to raise the rear edge of the seat upward along the front of the back L. As the person rises from his seat he has only to push against the front edge of the seat D, either with hishand or press against it with his limbs, and the seat 0 atonce moves backward and upward, as shown in Fig. 2. While the seat is in this elevated position it will readily be seen that the space around the chair is greatly enlarged, and that the aisle or row in which the chair is placed will be left sufliciently free for a person to walk freely in and out. By thus having the seat to yield to a very slight pressure upon its front I edge, all necessity for a person stooping down so as to use his hand is entirely done away with, and the person is made to close up the seat in the very act of rising.

When the chair is intended for the use of invalids, barbers, and surgeons, it will be constructed as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, in which case the supporting-brace and the operatingrod will be attached to the seat, as shown, and secured to the front edge of the seat will be-a foot-rest. Instead of the standard having the back secured rigidly to it, the back will form a part of the seat and be secured thereto, so as to move with the seat under all circumstances. To the back of the seat will be secured a pivoted brace or support which will extend down into a hollow pivoted sleeve, which is provided with a suitable set-screw, whereby the brace can be rigidly clamped in the sleeve in any desired position. As seen in Fig. 5, when the seat is tilted backward it will be supported entirely upon the operatingrod, the brace that is secured to the supporting-post, and by the brace which is secured to the back.

Having thus described my invention, I claim 1. The back L, seat B, and slotted standard A, in combination with the pivoted connecting-rod H, attached to the seat, toothed lever E, pivoted post 0, brace D, also attached to the seat, and the toothed segment G, whereby a backward pressure against the front edge of the seat will cause it to rise upward in front of the back, substantially as shown.

2. In a chair, the combination of a standard having an opening through its central portion, post O,toothed segmentG, toothed lever, connecting-rod, and brace D, the post 0 serving as a support for the rear part of the seat, substan tially as described.

3. In a chair, the combination of the standard A, a pivoted post, 0, brace D, connected to the seat, toothed segment G, toothed lever E, and connecting-rod H, substantially as set forth.

4. In a chair, the standard A, the post 0, pivoted at its lower end, and having an opening, R, made through its upper end, in combination with the brace D, connecting-rod H, toothed lever E, and toothed segment G, whereby the seat is made to turn upward, substantially as specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this 9th day of September, 1880.

ELI SHUPE.

Witnesses:

MosEs B. RUssELL, H. D. CRooKER. 

